Sponging machine



f1. NA m Samuel mhe? s. FISHER sPoNGNG` MACHINE d July 1e Sept. 30 1924.

WITNESSES Sept. 3() 1924.

s. FISHER l sPoNGING MACHINE Filed July 1e,

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 unuvdlllffltlllllllll Sama/eZ Els/Iver VlNvraN-roR l n. Q. www

ATTORNEY WITNESSEJ.

. www2 Sept. 3() 1924,

S. FISHER.

sPoNGING MACHINE Filed July 16. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Samar/@Z Els/er .NvEm-on ATTORNEY WiTNEssn aaa@ sAMURL FISHER, on BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

SPONGING- Application filed July 16,

To all wil-0m it may concer/a.'

Be it known that l, SAMUEL FISHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in thecounty of Baltimore City and State of Maryland, have invented new and useful improvements in Sponging Machines, of which the following is a specitication. Y

My present invention has reference to cloth sponging and pressing apparatus, and is to be considered in the nature of an improvement upon my co-pending application, Serial No. 620,992, iilcd February 24, 1923.

lith the above broadly stated object in view, and many others which will present themselves as the nature of theyinvention is better understood from the following detailed description, the improvement resides in the construction, combination and operative association of parts such as is disclosed by the drawings which accompany and which form part of this application.

ln the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cloth sponging and pressing machine in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is an end view thereof.

Figure 3 is a similar view but looking toward the opposite end of the apparatus.

Figure 4 is a substantially central longitudinal sectional view through the cloth pressing rolls to illustrate the mounting as well as the steam inlet and outlet means therefor. f

Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view through one end of the sponging drum and the mounting therefor.

Figure 6 is a sectional view approximately on the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the mounting for the feed roll, the roll being also in section.

As in my `referred to pending application, Serial No. 620,992, l provide a table 1 which is supported on a frame that is made up of connected pipe sections. To the pipe sections that provide the corner posts of the frame l attach by suitable couplings trans-- verse brace pipes 2 and 3 respectively. The pipes 3 support thereon brackets 4 having elongated body portions that pass through openings in metal blocks 5 secured on the top adjacent to the ends of a steam generating tank 6. The tank, at one of its ends is provided with a transparent water gauge 7 suitable cocks 8 being provided at the ends MACHINE.

1923. Serial No. 651,900.

of the gauge tube at the communication thereof with the generator. Thus, should the tube become broken, the cocks may be closed to prevent the escape of steam from the generator. ln addition to this, l arrange on the said end of the generating tank 6 try-out cocks 9 and 10 respectively. These cocks are disposed one above the other and are only opened in case of the breakage of the gauge 7, although the said cocks may be opened to ascertain thelevel of water and steam in the tank.

Water is let into the bottom of the tank through a pipe 11 which is connected with 70 the house supply. The tank, at a suitable distance above its bottom is provided with a blow-out plug 12 designed as a safety device in case of an over-pressure of steam in the tank.

On the end of the tank opposite that provided with the gauge and the cocks 9 and 10 there is a man-hole normally closed by a suitable cover 13 held tightly in place by adjustable means 1:1. By providing the S0 hanger brackets, as above described, tanks of varying sizes may be supported on the frame.

The water inlet pipe 11 has its passage controlled by a valve 15, and the said pipe has therein, to one side of the valve 15, a check valve 16. The check valve is designed to admit water into the tank 6, but opens in a direction to prevent the passage of heated water or steam into the horizontal branch o-f the inlet pipe 11. The horizontal branch of the inlet pipe is, as disclosed by the drawings, connected by a coupling to the vertical branch thereof, and to this coupling there is a short pipe extension having screwed on its outer end a faucet 17. The faucet provides a drain for the tank when the valve 15 is closed.

Secured by couplings to the transverse pipes 2 and 3, there are depending pipe sec- 100 tions 18 and 19 respectively. The pipe 18 has therein a coupling to which is connected a short angle pipe, the latter having at its end a coupling to which is secured a depending short pipe 20. The pipes 18 and 2() 105 have secured at their ends burner tubes 22 and 23 respectively. The tube 22 is supported from the lower end of the pipe member 19 and has a short pipe connection 24 with the end of the burner tube 23. The outer end of the pipe 24 is capped, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. The

tubes 22 and 23 have their gas outlet apertures arranged longitudinally tothe sides of the upper center thereof, and the inlet end of each of the tubes is provided with a mixH ing chamber 25 in which enters the gas inlet pipes 26 connected to a branch or a gas supply pipe 27. The inlet pipes 26 are, of course, controlled by valves 2S.

At one end the tank 6 has secured thereto a communicating pipe arranged at an outward horizontal angle therefrom and terininating in an upright pipe Q9 which projects a suitable distance above the table and is located to one side thereof adjacent to what l will terni the rear of the table. The pipe 29 has at its upper end a blow-olf valve. 30. ln this manner7 excess steam in the gene ating tank will [ind an outlet without liability of inflicting damage to the tank or to the other parts of the apparatus. U pon its opposite end, there is also secured a rearwardly directed. horizontally disposed pipe that terminates in an upright branch 3l. The branch 3l is coiled. upon itself, as at 32, and from thence continued and has secured to its upper end a steai'n gauge 33. lllater is let in the upper end ofthe pipe and rests in the coil 32. Stealn from the boiler acting upon this body of water influences the saine to turn t-he hand of ythe gauge so that the operator can accurately determine the ainount of pounds pressure of steain in the generating tank.

Certain of the legsl or corner posts of the frame are disposed outwardly with respect. to the other corner legs. These legs, for distinction, are indicated by the numerals 34 and respectively. The legs are provided with couplings whose central branch 8G underlies` and supports the outer end of the table 1. The legs 34 and 35 project a. suitable dis tance above the. top of the table and have at their upper ends couplings 37 ant.l 3S respectively. The horizontal branch of one of these couplings is notched, as at 40 Figure These couplings receive therein the ends of a rod 4l. The ends are olfset from the rod proper, and the purpose of this rod will hereinafter be set forth.

Connected by a coupling to the side brace pipe 2 of the fraine there is a short plug pipe 4Q ,whose outer end has secured thereon a. l'coupling 43. The longer or longitudinal branch of the T-coupling is disposed horizontally with respect to the fraine. and has screwed therein a vertically disposed sectional pipe 44. The bottom of the coupling has screwed therein the nipple or neck ofA a valve 45. The valved end of the pipe44 communicates with the atmosphere. .4t its upper end, the pipe 44 has a coupling .therein which provides a bearing for a shaft 46.l On the outer end of this shaft there is a crank handle 4', and on the inner end of the said shaft there is a flange that is bolted or otherwise secured to one end of a hollow drum 48. The opposite closed end of `the druin 48 is centrally provided with an opening surrounded by an inwardly directed flange in which there is received` a bearing sleeve 49. The sleeve has its outer end threaded and has screwed thereon a packing nut 50 which forces a packing 51 against the outer end of the said sleeve. Journaled in the sleeve there is a pipe section 52 that has screwed on its outer end a coupling T he central depending branch of the coupling is connected to asectional pipe 54, siinilar to the pipe 44 and which has its lower end secured to the brace pipe 3 by suitable couplings. The up'- per end of the sectional pipe 54 is plugged, as at 55. Connected to the coupling 53 there is a pipe 56 which in turn is connected by a coupling to a vertically arranged depending` pipe 57, the last mentioned pipe being connected by' a coupling Ato abranch pipe 5S that communicates directly with the top of the generating tank 6. The pipe 57 has arranged Atherein a hand operated valve 59 which regulates the passage of steam through the upper portion thereof. i

The drinn 48 has its lbody portion .provided with longitudinal `series of spaced apertures 60, and arranged around the'druni and secured thereto there is a fabric facing 6l. f

To the couplings at the upper ends of the sectional pipes 44 and 54 there are secured horizontally disposed inwardly extending short pipes G2 whose inner ends are plugged. To the plugs lthere are secured the ends of helical spi-ings `63. The springs have their outer ends connected to ineans 64 in slidable pipe sections or tubes 65. The outer ends of the pipenieinbers 63 are covered by cap nuts 66 through which the tubes pass, and passing transversely through the outer ends of the tubes 65 are inwardly directed .studs lG7 that are received in the ends of a roller 68. fluencing the tubes 65, will cause the roller GS to frictionally engage with the fabric facing Gl of the apertured drum 48. y

ln the sectional pipes 44 and 54, ata suitable distance below the drum 48there are opposed pairs of crosscouplings 69, 69', 70 and 70. The outer branch of the cross coupling G9 in the pipe 44 is plugged as isV cross coupling 69" is 'similarly connected to r The' outer longla second hollow roller The springs 63, in-V tudinal branch of the said coupling 69 has screwed therein a short pipe section having atits outer end a ilanged nut 78 that forces packings against the said short pipe and against an annular iiange 79 on a shalt 8O that is received through the said nut and in the said short pipe. The shaft 80 has on its outer end a crank handle 8l and on its inner end a rod extension 82 to which is adjustably connected a spider 83 that is in contacting engagement with the bearing sleeve 72 in the roller 77. On the ends of the rollers 74 and 77 there are secured intermeshing gear wheels 84 and 85 respectively.

The opposite ends of the hollow rollers 7 4` and 77 have inwardly directed flanges that surround central openings therein, and screwed in these lianges there are tubes whose outer ends are engaged by packing nuts 86 and 87, respectively. Finding bearings in the sleeves there are short pipes which are connected to the inner branches of the cross couplings 70 and 70, respectively.` The nuts 86 and 87 force packings against the sleeves and against the mentioned short pipes.l This portion of the construction is enclosed by a box 88 that is suitably supported against movement and that has at its lower end an angularly arranged drain pipe 89. rlhe box is `provided to catch any leakage which may result between the joints above described.

The vertical branches of the cross couplings 70 and 70 are plugged. The outer longitudinal branch of the coupling 70 has secured therein a pipe 9() connected by a coupling to the steam conducting pipe 57. The outer longitudinal branch of the cou pling 70 has connected therewith an4 angle pipe 91 whose depending branch has its passage controlled by a cock 92.

In the steam conducting pipe 57, below the pipe 90, there is a coupling 93 provided with an angle branch to which is connected a short pipe having at its outer end a cock 94. In the horizontal branch 58 of the steam conducting pipe there is a T-coupling having its central branch upwardly directed and having screwed therein a valve 95. The valve has connected to its upper end a funnel shaped member 96 arranged directly below the drain pipe 89, and the cock 92 and 94. The valve 95 is closed as long as the device is in operation and receives drainage deposited into the funnel 96 incident to condensation in the hollow rollers 74 and 77 and in the steam conducting pipe 57. This drainage is allowed to pass from the funnel through the pipe 58 into the generating tank 6 when the valve 59 is closed and the apparatus is idle. The cocks 92 and 94 are open just prior to the operation of the device so that all moisture may be drained from the parts before steam is admitted into the drum 48 and into the rollers 74 and 77. lt important that the steam 'fed into these parts be in a perfectly dry condition.

The operation may be brieiiy described follows: short lengths of cloth may be 'i ranged on the table which will t'eed between the presser roller and the apertured drum 48 lor the sponging operation, it being un derstood that steam is admitted to the drum. lShould it be iound desirable to press such lengths ot' cloth. the same will feed from the drum between the pressing rollers 74 and 77. in which instance, steam is admitted into the said rollers. The steam is admitted through the valve controlled branch 90 of the steam conducting pipe directly into the upper drum 74. The amount of steam in the rollers is controlled by regulating the valve rl"hus should the valve 45 be entirely7 opened the steam will flow directly through the roller 74 and [ind an outlet through the pipe 44 to the atmosphere and will not, to any extent, enter the lower roller 77. llfhen the valve 45 is closed or almost closed the steam initially directed into the upper drum 74 will be conducted into the roller 77 through the short pipe section 7l, pipe 44 and the short pipe section between the coupling 69 and the roller 77, so that the pressure ot steam in both the rollers 74 and 77 will be approximatelyv equal and both of the rollers heated to the same degree. ln this manner fabrics of different characters'or of different weaves will be properly pressed. 0i course, the crank handle 47 is operated to move the cloth around the drum, and the crank handle 81 is operated to turn the rollers in reverse directions in the pressing of the cloth. When bolts of cloth are to be pressed the rod 4l is removed from its bearing brackets or couplings and passed centrally through the bolt. The rod with the bolt thereon again rests on its bearings, and the cloth is fed between the drum and the spring influenced roller 68, which, of course, tightly forces the cloth in contact with the drum so that the cloth will be effectively sponged, when the drum is rotated. The cloth is then fed between the pressingrollers 74 and 77 so that the same is delivered onto the table in a perfectly smooth condition. The drum and the pressing rollers are slowly revolved so that the cloth will receive the full beneiit off the steam from the apertured drum 48 and properly pressed when passing between the pressing rollers. The treated cloth may be folded on the table or may be received on a clean sheet of paper which is arranged on the frame.

It is believed that the foregoing description, when taken in connection with the drawings will fully set forth the construc- .tion and advantages of my improvement,

but it is to be understood that the nature vthereof is suoli as to render the same susceptible to such changes, form, construction and other modifications as fall within the scope of what I claim.

Having thus described the invention, I claii 1; In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a frame supported table, a steam generating tank removably and adjustably se! the cloth against the drum, a valve controlled pipe from the steam generator communicating with the drum, a valve controlled drain in said pipe, hollow rollers supported below the drum, intermeshing gears therefor, means for revolving` the drum, means for revolving the rollers, valve controlled means for admitting steam from the steam conducting pipe into the upper roller, means establishing a steam passage between the upper and lower roller, means regulating the admission of steam from the upper into the lower roller, means for draining condensation from said lower roller, a funnel-shaped member receiving the condensation and connected with the steam conducting pipe and a valve controlling the passage between said condensation receiving member' and said steam conducting pipe.

2. In an apparatus for the purpose set forth, a hollow apertured drum having a fabric .facing and against which cloth toA be pressed is arranged, a roller dispose-d longi tudinally at one sit` e of the drum, spring influenced means supporting the roller and forcing the same toward the drum and for pressing cloth between the roller and drum, means for revolvinv the drum, means for admitting dry steam under pressure to the drum, a rod designed to be received Vin a.

-bolt of cloth removabh7 supported below the drum, hollow rollers journaled in bearings below the drum, intermeshing gears between the rollers, packings between the rollers and the bearings therefor, a box arranged around the .packings at one end of the rollers, a drain pipe therefor, means for admitting` steam under pressure into the upper roller, means establishing a steam inlet between the upper and lower rollers, means regulating the admission of steam from the upper into the lower roller and for directing said steam from the upper roller intc the atmosphere, means for revolving the rollers and a funnel-shaped drain receiver below the outlet vand the drain pipe for the box and having a valve connection with the steam conducting means.

In testimony whereof I atIiX my signature.

i SAMUEL FISHER.` 

